the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 46 Issue 01
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.00% 3 Year GIC - 2.40% 5 Year GIC - 2.56% Daily Interest 1.65%
Friday, January 4, 2013
NextEra donation may be filtered through Township of Mapleton by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON TWP. NextEra Energy is planning to donate $100,000 to Trees for Mapleton, but the organization wants the money to be funneled through the township. At the Dec. 11 Mapleton council meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon reported NextEra is willing to contribute $20,000 per year for five years to Trees for Mapleton. Sinnamon noted Trillium funding received in the past by the program is ending and “the funding is critical to sustaining the program.� Sinnamon explained in her report that NextEra is requesting a charitable receipt and since Trees for Mapleton is not a registered charity, they are requesting the funds flow through the municipality,
similar to arrangements under which the township accepted donations on behalf of the PMD arena expansion project and Alma Community Centre. Councillor Mike Downey, who sits on the Trees for Mapleton board of directors, said the group actually wants council to put the NextEra donations in an “environmental fund� which could potentially be drawn on by other environment-related group as well. “We are concerned about the public perception in that Trees for Mapleton has been a positive for the community and yet this wind project has been a negative,� Downey stated. However, it was pointed out NextEra would have to approve any move to share the funds with other groups. “I think from NextEra’s
point of view, they like Trees for Mapleton very much and that is what they want the money to go to,� said Wellington County senior planner Mark Van Patter. “Trees for Mapleton needs money - the bottom line is, accept it and put it in a Trees for Mapleton account and be done with it,� said councillor Jim Curry. Councillor Andy Knetsch said, “I think it makes sense to create an ‘environmental’ account - it’s a very general word. “I would definitely support creating a separate fund which people can apply for.� Council passed a motion to receive the funds from NextEra “for environmental projects within the township.�
Local wind energy centre now online TORONTO - NextEra Energy Canada announced on Dec. 21 that its affiliate Conestogo Wind, LP, has completed construction and brought into service its 22.9 megawatt Conestogo Wind Energy Centre. The project, located in Mapleton Township, is comprised of 10 Siemens wind turbines and is capable of generating enough power for approximately 5,700 homes in an average year. All of the power from the project is being sold to the Ontario Power Authority under the Feed-In-Tariff program. Conestogo Wind, LP, an indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Canada, owns and operates the project.
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON TWP. - The Community News would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 2013, as we take a look back on an eventful year in 2012. The following is just a small sample of the news that made headlines in Mapleton Township in the past 12 months. January A group opposing NextEra Energy’s Conestogo Wind Energy Centre appealed the Ministry of Environment’s decision to approve the facility to an environmental tribunal. The group opposed NextEra’s plans for a 10-turbine, 22-megawatt wind farm southwest of Arthur. Residents in the area have opposed the project
“We are pleased to have completed our first wind project in Ontario,� said Mike O’Sullivan, NextEra Energy Resources senior vice president of development. “In addition to generating clean, emission-free energy, this project will have a positive impact on the local economy through the jobs created, taxes paid, lease payments to landowners, and goods and services sourced throughout the region.� The Conestogo Wind Energy Centre is the first of eight wind projects NextEra Energy Canada plans to bring into service by the end of 2015 in Ontario. Combined, NextEra Energy Canada’s eight Ontario wind
projects represent a capital investment in the province of approximately $1.5 billion. In addition to the Conestogo Wind Energy Centre, affiliates of NextEra Energy Canada own and operate the 20MW Moore Solar Project and the 20MW Sombra Solar Project, both located in Lambton County. Outside of Ontario, affiliates of NextEra Energy Canada own and operate the 81MW Ghost Pine Wind Energy Centre in Alberta, the 30MW Pubnico Point Wind Energy Centre in Nova Scotia, and the 54MW Mount Miller and 54MW Mount Copper Wind Energy Centres in Quebec. About NextEra Energy NextEra Energy Canada, Continued on page 3
Contribution to arts - Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas was recently presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Advertiser file photo
Mustakas receives Diamond Jubilee medal STRATFORD - Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas has joined the ranks of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients. Mustakas was among seven Wellington County residents presented with a jubilee medal at a ceremony at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Hall in Stratford on Dec. 18. The medals were presented by Perth-Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger. A summary of Mustakas
accomplishments, provided by the MP’s office states the performer, producer, and director, “has made extraordinary contributions to the arts in Canada. “He is the founding artistic director and CEO of Drayton Entertainment, a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization and one of Canada’s most successful arts organizations. “Under his astute leadership, Drayton Entertainment now consists of six venues in Ontario and is the third largest
regional theatre company in Canada. “Beyond the arts, Mustakas is a renowned fundraiser, who has successfully raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to numerous charitable and humanitarian causes since the early 1990s.� In a press release issued by Drayton Entertainment, Mustakas said he was very pleased to receive the medal. “I am deeply honoured to be recognized with the Queen’s Continued on page 3
Looking back at 2012: The Year in Review almost since it was announced three years ago. A report from the township’s chief building official revealed building activity in Mapleton decreased slightly last year. David Kopp’s Jan. 10 report showed the number of permits in 2011 was 278, compared to 306 in 2010. The estimated value of construction activity decreased from $31.97 million in 2010 to $26.21 million. Consequently, the permit fees dropped from $241,278 in 2010 to $219,020 in 2011. Halfway through the National Hockey League season, Drayton native Nick Spaling was on pace for a career year. As of Jan. 24, Spaling had registered 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) for the
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Nashville Predators, to go along with 10 penalty minutes, 62 shots on goal and a plus-one rating. His 2011-12 point total surpassed his previous high of 14, which he tallied in 74 games in 2010-11. Rhythm On Ice, a synchronized skating team from Arthur that features several Mapleton Township skaters, brought home a gold medal from the Synchro Capers Invitational Competition event in Newmarket. Thirteen teams from across southern Ontario competed in the pre-novice level competition. The township’s newest committee - economic development - held its first meeting on Jan. 17 and council approved its first recommen-
dation on Jan. 24. That recommendation was to erect an industrial park sign and to offer space on it to businesses in the park. Liz Samis was the unanimous choice to chair the committee. Moorefield’s Josh Kueneman and Riley Cribbin helped the major bantam ‘A’ Woolwich Wildcats capture the championship at the International Silverstick tournament in Port Huron, Michigan. The team came out on top with a record of 6-0, including four shutouts, and outscored their opponents 24-3. February A group of residents stepped up its battle to stop ten wind turbines from being erected near Arthur - and used
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the courts to do so. Preserve Mapleton Incorporated filed a judicial appeal of the Ministry of Environment’s approval of NextEra Energy’s Conestogo Wind Energy Centre. That meant delaying its appeal to the Environmental Appeals Tribunal until after the court hearing. Mayor Bruce Whale told Fire Chief Rick Richardson to extend council’s thanks to the volunteer fire department after council heard the yearend report. Richardson said the department responded to 164 calls between Dec. 1, 2010 and Nov. 30, 2011. The department uses those dates for the annual report. The numbers are up 30% from 126 calls in the previous year.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office instructed fire chiefs to be on the lookout for barn parties - in particular stag and does and wedding receptions - and ensure they do not take place. But Rick Richardson, fire chief of Mapleton Township, said until an official announcement is made, most fire chiefs in the province have no interest in enforcing the Fire Marshal’s request, first unveiled at a fall chief’s meeting. “Every fire chief in that room said we’ll quit before we do that,� said Richardson. Tyler Robinson continued to take the Ontario arm wrestling world by storm. The 22-year-old Moorefield resident, named 2011 Rookie of Continued on page 2
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